Z plasty

A surgical method for treating scarring which restricts normal movement of joints, or causes deformity. This type of scarring, known as contracture, is caused by shrinkage of tissues in the skin, muscles and tendons and may occur after extensive burns or other injury. Z plasty changes the direction of the scar in order to relieve skin tension caused by the tissues shrinking.

Three incisions are made in a Z shape, with the central incision running along the scar. Two V shaped skin flaps are then formed by cutting skin away from underlying tissue. The flaps are then transposed. This has the effect of redistributing tension at right angles to the original defect. The flaps are then stitched in place. Physiotherapists are sometimes involved in assessing a person's movement in order to establish whether X plasty is needed.